Diarrhea and gastroenteritis cases reach new heights in Karachi

KARACHI: The cases of water and foodborne diseases marked a surge across Karachi following the heavy monsoon rains. Approximately, 15,000 adults and children reported with diarrhea, typhoid, gastroenteritis, and waterborne diseases in public sector health facilities in the last ten days.

According to a survey of government hospitals, cases of gastroenteritis, including adults and children, hailed from different localities, including Lyari, Machar Colony, North Karachi, New Karachi, Kemari, Malir, Korangi, Federal B Area, Orangi Town, and other areas of the city.

Experts state that at present, the city is facing all kinds of environmental problems, including drinking water contamination and inadequate water supply. Therefore, waterborne diseases have increased by 50 to 75% following the monsoon spell.

As per the data obtained from different hospitals, over 4000 adults and children have been brought in at the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, 3500 at the National Institute of Child Health(NICH), 3000 at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, 2000 at the Lyari General Hospital, 3000 at the Sindh Government Children’s Hospital, and others.

Health experts said that waterborne diseases might be an endemic in Karachi as more rains are expected in the city in the coming days. There is a need to remain watchful about gastroenteritis, typhoid, and cholera, which were among the most commonly reported ailments.

A doctor said that diarrhea, high fever, and typhoid could be attributed to insects, bacteria, and viruses that thrived in the humid monsoon environment, including stagnant water bodies and shattered sanitation.